Pamela Jean Roach (née Norris,[1][2] born April 26, 1948) is an American politician who served as a member of the Pierce County Council from 2017 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she previously served as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 31st district from 1991 to 2017.
Pam Roach | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pierce County Council from the 2nd District | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – January 13, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Joyce McDonald |
| Succeeded by | Hans Zeiger |
| President pro tempore of the Washington Senate | |
| In office January 12, 2015 – January 3, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Tim Sheldon |
| Succeeded by | Tim Sheldon |
| Member of the Washington Senate from the 31st district | |
| In office January 14, 1991 – January 3, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Warnke |
| Succeeded by | Phil Fortunato |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Pamela Jean Norris April 26, 1948 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jim Roach |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence | Sumner, Washington |
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University, Utah |
Elected office
editRoach was elected to the Senate in 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. Her last term would have expired in January 2019, but she was elected to the Pierce County Council and resigned her Senate seat in January 2017.
She ran for governor in 1996, finishing in 8th place out of 15 candidates in the jungle primary with 2.43% of the vote.[3]
Censures and sanctions while senator
editIn 2003, Roach was reprimanded and asked to seek counseling after she allegedly illegally obtained employee e-mails and drove some to quit.[4]
In 2010, fellow Senate Republicans banned her from the Senate Caucus after colleagues said she had repeatedly mistreated staff. Roach attributed the sanction to rough politics, and said she was not informed of the complaints or accusers.[5] Republicans barred her from the caucus room, though she could still vote on the Senate Floor.[6][7] While sanctioned, Roach abused a Republican staffer charged to uphold the sanction.[5][8] The Facilities and Operations Committee reaffirmed their 2010 sanctions in a 2012 legal settlement with a senior Republican attorney who claimed he was subjected to a hostile and abusive workplace because of Roach,[5] which included a verbal dispute about limits on use of the official website provided to each Senator. Roach apologized after the dispute, but attributed the Committee ruling to a harassment campaign against her. Senate authorities sanctioned Roach five times during 20 years as a Senator.[9]
Senate Republican leadership lifted the sanctions in February 2012,[5][8] and Roach said the sanctions had no merit.[5] Not long after Roach was invited into the Senate Republican caucus, Senate Republicans—along with three Democrats—used Roach's deciding vote for an obscure procedural motion to wrest control of the budget writing process away from the Democratic caucus and pass their own budget.[10][8] Shortly after returning to the Republican caucus, Roach again engaged in speech that frightened staff.[5]
In 2016, Roach was removed from a human trafficking task force by Lt. Governor Brad Owen in a letter that mentioned numerous complaints about comments Roach made in a meeting about sex traffic victims, suggesting tattoos and nose rings contributed to young girls becoming victims of human trafficking. Owen called the comments "vile," and said her history of "egregious and offensive behavior" disqualified Roach from keeping her seat in the Senate. Roach said she said nothing inappropriate during the meeting, but had offered specific job-seeking guidance sex traffic victims should consider. She attributed frustration to slow organization by officials.[4]
County councilmember
editAfter her election, Roach resigned from the state Senate and became a councilmember for Pierce County, Washington in January 2017.[11]
In August 2017, county executive Bruce Dammeier issued a letter to department directors and staffers, directing them to communicate with Roach only in writing or in public council meetings. Dammeier's memo cited "rude and unprofessional behavior" with county staff as the basis for the restrictions. Roach, in response, asserted that the strictures were based on politics.[12]
During a council offsite meeting in 2018, Roach uttered a profane word to her son Dan Roach, who was also a councilmember, during a heated discussion. Roach later issued a statement saying: "In the heat of the moment, I used harsh words that I regret. It was a mistake. I love my son dearly but sometimes we have political disagreements. Nonetheless, that's no excuse for harsh language."[13]
Awards
editRoach received the Key Award from the WA Coalition for Open Government.[15]
Personal life and education
editRoach received a bachelor's degree in history from Brigham Young University in 1970, and received a teaching certificate the next year. [citation needed]
Roach and her husband, Jim, have been married for over 30 years. They have five grown children, one of whom (Dan Roach) chaired the Pierce County Council while Pam was also a member.[16]
Roach is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[17][18]
References
edit- ^ "Profiles". Y Magazine. Fall 2002. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ The Banyan. 1968. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "Election Search Results - Elections & Voting - WA Secretary of State". www.sos.wa.gov. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ a b Santos, Melissa (January 25, 2016). "Washington's lieutenant governor boots Pam Roach off human trafficking task force". The News Tribune.
- ^ a b c d e f Baker, Mike (January 16, 2013). "Documents describe vulgar outburst by Sen. Roach". KOMO. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- ^ Brunner, Jim; Garber, Andrew (January 29, 2010). "GOP caucus bans state Sen. Pam Roach, tells her to get anger counseling". The Seattle Times.
- ^ Anderson, Rick (October 9, 2006). "Politics: Coming up roaches". Seattle Weekly. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
- ^ a b c Garber, Andrew (April 4, 2012). "GOP staffer seeks $1.75 million settlement over Pam Roach decision". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015.
- ^ Schrader, Jordan (February 11, 2010). "Roach investigations cost taxpayers $55,413". The Olympian.
- ^ Feit, Josh (March 3, 2012). "Budget Coup Update: GOP Seizes Control of Senate, Passes Their Own Budget, Special Session Looms". Seattle Met. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
- ^ "November 8, 2016 General Election". Pierce County Auditor. November 29, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
- ^ Robinson, Sean (August 29, 2017). "Councilwoman's 'rude and unprofessional behavior' triggers ban on staff contact – again". The News Tribune.
- ^ Robinson, Sean (October 10, 2018). "Pam Roach drops F-bomb on her son at Pierce County Council meeting". The Seattle Times.
- ^ "69 Lawmakers Win Main Street's Highest Award". nfib.com. May 12, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ Chan, April (December 3, 2011). "Sen. Pam Roach Awarded for Government Transparency Efforts". Enumclaw Patch.
- ^ "Pierce County, WA - Official Website - District 1". Retrieved April 20, 2016.
- ^ "Pam Roach Fires Away". Seattle PI. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
- ^ "Delegates don't see Romney's Mormon faith as an issue anymore". Seattle Times. August 30, 2012.